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Washington gives slumping Moreland night off

Washington gives slumping Moreland night off

7/23/13: Mitch Moreland clobbers Boone Logan's pitch over the wall in straightaway center for a two-run shot to give the Rangers a lead

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

ARLINGTON -- First baseman Mitch Moreland was out of the lineup Tuesday with left-hander C.J. Wilson on the mound for the Angels. Moreland is also in an 0-for-23 slump and has just two hits in 39 at-bats since the All-Star break.

"It's been strange," manager Ron Washington said. "We know he's capable of giving more. It's obvious he's not doing what he does best and that's use the opposite field. He's got to get back to that. When he's using the opposite field he's productive. He's got to get back to that."

Moreland, a left-handed batter, was one of the Rangers' hottest hitters before going on the disabled list June 6 with a strained right hamstring. Prior to the injury, he went through a stretch of 37 games where he hit .331 with nine home runs, 22 RBIs and a .654 slugging percentage. He has played in 33 games since coming off the disabled list and is hitting .152 with two home runs, 11 RBIs and a .232 slugging percentage.

"It's been like any other time I've gone through a slump," Moreland said. "I'm just going up there and battling and trying to get a good pitch to hit. It could change in one pitch. You just keep going up there, keep your head down and battle through it. Everybody wants to have good results. But if you don't, you keep your head down and keep working."